writing, in my journal or to a far away friend via snail mail
creativity, painting, sketching, creating in some way
movement, hiking, biking, running, dancing, yoga
tapping into compassion, doing metta practice
savoring good memories, looking at photos of joyful times with friends and family
poetry, reading words of others
water, jumping in it, drinking it, feeling it on my skin as it rains, noticing it as I wash my hands
community, sharing my gratitude with others
The Gratefulness forum
has been a lifeline for me
these past 20 years
(hard to believe it’s been that long).
I come every morning before my day begins,
and check in again in the evening
before I go to bed.
I have no true spiritual connections
with most of those who people my daily life,
so this place is a godsend for me.
Being creative . . .
drawing,
painting,
writing,
sitting zazen . . .
moving my body
and listening to my heartbeat,
my breath . . .
gardening,
making,
connecting with the animals who share space with me,
and the animals who don’t . . .
any kind of ‘work’ or touch with my hands
always is my home . . .
where I live.
It can be the soft fur of a cat’s face,
the crumbly feel of an earth-drenched seed in my hands,
bread dough,
a pot of fragrant stew
invented from nothing and everything . . .
paint brush,
pencils and pens . . .
warm skin on the back of my husband’s neck,
thread, string,
rope or wire.
These are all my connections
and I cherish each one of them
with a passion I cannot deny . . .
perhaps I’ll miss them someday.
I can’t imagine that far ahead.
But for now,
they join me to the Life that I have
now. ♥
As I’m sure many of you will attest, it’s the breath that brings me back to the present.
I don’t know why it took me so long to realize this, but I am grateful to have this powerful practice.
An early morning walk in my neighborhood as people are waking up, doing their laundry, walking their dogs, heading out for work. Then that first sip of coffee is like a prayer as I begin my morning Bible reading as my husband and I are reading our way through the Bible in a year. Next I move to reading words from The Center for Action and Contemplation to see what Richard Rohr and others have to say that will enlighten me for the day and a lifetime. Finally, I move to joining you all – here – in community, puzzling over a question that may confuse me, or hit my heart and soul like a brick. I know however it strikes me, I will be moved, amused, heart-warmed, intrigued, educated, or otherwise drawn in to community by your responses. I am so grateful for each one of you being part of my daily ritual.
Drinking a cup of hot water and coffee, starts my day. I write in my journal and check the forecast for our city and the cities my son’s live in. The word of the day and action for happiness follows. I check out the grateful lounge and connect there. I do a few puzzles and a Tia chi practice. Now I am set for the businesses of the day.
I love making my morning coffee. Then, I settle down in front of my computer, ready for this site’s daily question, then quote from Actions for Happiness. I do love to enjoy the cute look of my succulents by the window. Playing the Ocarina brings calm on bad days. I’m going to explore another musical instrument. It’s great for relaxation. It’s called a Steel Tongue Drum. I’m so excited to try it.
I think this steel tongue drum
might be
what Ose plays . . .
she mentioned it
in one of her last reflections.
I have a two hour video that I listen to often . . .
beautiful soul music,
dear Ngoc. ♥
My morning routine – meditation, journaling, and visiting this site engaging with the daily question and each of you. I’ve added somatic movement to my waking ritual and do some full body tapping and arm swinging, which I really like.
Yoga helps me come home to myself. Practicing asana, reading philosophy. Sharing it with others.
Preparing meals – I really love to cook!
Going for a walk with my little family, noticing birds, butterflies, deer, and whatever else pops up on our path.
Staring at the sky and also staring at the ocean.
Making my morning coffee, feeding my cat and outdoor two cats
Visiting this site and answering Daily question
lighting candles throughout my home
listening/watching ASMR videos
various seasonal decorating and cooking
a fresh hair cut
monthly massages
observing magical full moons 🌕
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I snuggle my dogs
writing, in my journal or to a far away friend via snail mail
creativity, painting, sketching, creating in some way
movement, hiking, biking, running, dancing, yoga
tapping into compassion, doing metta practice
savoring good memories, looking at photos of joyful times with friends and family
poetry, reading words of others
water, jumping in it, drinking it, feeling it on my skin as it rains, noticing it as I wash my hands
community, sharing my gratitude with others
All good things
to guide you home to yourself,
dear Cat . . . ♥
Water, it certainly has some magical properties, Cat Sales.
We had well over 6 inches of rain today,
dear Joseph,
before it overflowed the rain gauge.
Yikes. ♥
I have seen some clips from the rain in the northeast. Overflowing rain gauges . . . . indeed Yikes!
The Gratefulness forum
has been a lifeline for me
these past 20 years
(hard to believe it’s been that long).
I come every morning before my day begins,
and check in again in the evening
before I go to bed.
I have no true spiritual connections
with most of those who people my daily life,
so this place is a godsend for me.
Being creative . . .
drawing,
painting,
writing,
sitting zazen . . .
moving my body
and listening to my heartbeat,
my breath . . .
gardening,
making,
connecting with the animals who share space with me,
and the animals who don’t . . .
any kind of ‘work’ or touch with my hands
always is my home . . .
where I live.
It can be the soft fur of a cat’s face,
the crumbly feel of an earth-drenched seed in my hands,
bread dough,
a pot of fragrant stew
invented from nothing and everything . . .
paint brush,
pencils and pens . . .
warm skin on the back of my husband’s neck,
thread, string,
rope or wire.
These are all my connections
and I cherish each one of them
with a passion I cannot deny . . .
perhaps I’ll miss them someday.
I can’t imagine that far ahead.
But for now,
they join me to the Life that I have
now. ♥
Beautiful images, dear Sparrow. Thank you.
♥
Being mindful, choosing gratitude, reconfirming my willingness daily choosing to see through the eyes or agape love.
We do
always have a choice,
don’t we,
dear Carol Ann? ♥
As I’m sure many of you will attest, it’s the breath that brings me back to the present.
I don’t know why it took me so long to realize this, but I am grateful to have this powerful practice.
this.
♥
The emotional freedom technique – tapping – helps me accept myself and eases feelings of shame that otherwise sometimes paralyze me.
Meditation
Meditation
An early morning walk in my neighborhood as people are waking up, doing their laundry, walking their dogs, heading out for work. Then that first sip of coffee is like a prayer as I begin my morning Bible reading as my husband and I are reading our way through the Bible in a year. Next I move to reading words from The Center for Action and Contemplation to see what Richard Rohr and others have to say that will enlighten me for the day and a lifetime. Finally, I move to joining you all – here – in community, puzzling over a question that may confuse me, or hit my heart and soul like a brick. I know however it strikes me, I will be moved, amused, heart-warmed, intrigued, educated, or otherwise drawn in to community by your responses. I am so grateful for each one of you being part of my daily ritual.
Katrina, I loved Richard’s reading today.
Katrina, morning walks are refreshing, especially during the summer when its hot.
Drawing, singing, playing piano, walking outside, a hot shower or bath, hanging out with good friends, a good meal, gardening.
Getting a bath when I was tense and troubled use to help me a lot but now I can’t get in or out of the tub so I shower. I’m chuckling not complaining!
If you have somewhere to sit in a shower,
dear Carol Ann,
and let the water flow over you,
it’s just as soothing . . . ♥
I’m picturing one of those waterfall shower heads and a comfy stool, that sounds really nice.
Drinking a cup of hot water and coffee, starts my day. I write in my journal and check the forecast for our city and the cities my son’s live in. The word of the day and action for happiness follows. I check out the grateful lounge and connect there. I do a few puzzles and a Tia chi practice. Now I am set for the businesses of the day.
I love making my morning coffee. Then, I settle down in front of my computer, ready for this site’s daily question, then quote from Actions for Happiness. I do love to enjoy the cute look of my succulents by the window. Playing the Ocarina brings calm on bad days. I’m going to explore another musical instrument. It’s great for relaxation. It’s called a Steel Tongue Drum. I’m so excited to try it.
I think this steel tongue drum
might be
what Ose plays . . .
she mentioned it
in one of her last reflections.
I have a two hour video that I listen to often . . .
beautiful soul music,
dear Ngoc. ♥
My Ngoc, I remember hearing the steel tongue drum a couple days ago on your phone.
A friend of mine plays steel tongue drum very well. It’s so relaxing!
I can hear your enthusiasm. You go girl.
My morning routine – meditation, journaling, and visiting this site engaging with the daily question and each of you. I’ve added somatic movement to my waking ritual and do some full body tapping and arm swinging, which I really like.
Yoga helps me come home to myself. Practicing asana, reading philosophy. Sharing it with others.
Preparing meals – I really love to cook!
Going for a walk with my little family, noticing birds, butterflies, deer, and whatever else pops up on our path.
Staring at the sky and also staring at the ocean.
Making my morning coffee, feeding my cat and outdoor two cats
Visiting this site and answering Daily question
lighting candles throughout my home
listening/watching ASMR videos
various seasonal decorating and cooking
a fresh hair cut
monthly massages
observing magical full moons 🌕
I can’t remember
the last time I had my hair cut,
dear Michele . . . 🙂
I have seen my share of magical moons though. ♥
I believe tonight is the full phase, I have been told.
yes, I actually put all the full and new moons in my calendar 🌕🌑